The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government and other relevant authorities to explore the formulation of a comprehensive policy aimed at the institutional rehabilitation of stray dogs in the national capital.

Justice Mini Pushkarna, noting that the issue falls within the realm of policy-making, referred the matter to the Chief Secretary of the Delhi Government for further action.

"Accordingly, it is directed that a policy decision be taken by the stakeholders to ensure that provisions are made for the rehabilitation of stray dogs at an institutional level, so that stray dogs are rehabilitated and phased out from the public roads and streets," the Court stated in its order dated May 21.

The Court also requested the Chief Secretary to convene a meeting of all concerned stakeholders, with the objective of devising a plan to remove stray dogs from public spaces and relocate them to institutional shelters.

The direction came while hearing a plea filed in 2023 by Pratima Devi, an 80-year-old animal caregiver widely known as “Dog Amma.” She has been providing shelter to stray dogs for years and currently houses over 200 dogs in a makeshift facility.

Justice Pushkarna observed that the rising number of dog bite incidents, regularly reported in the media and brought before the Court through various petitions, underscores the urgency of the issue. The Court warned that releasing over 200 stray dogs into the open could pose a serious risk to public safety.

"In light of the facts of the present case, and the broader public interest involved, it is incumbent upon the concerned authorities—including the Delhi Government, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)—to jointly consider the formulation of a rehabilitation policy," the Court noted.

The matter is scheduled to be taken up next on August 6.